It's time for a new Clean Air Act

We all know that air quality is getting worse, and why: more vehicles emitting more pollution, putting health and lives at risk.

The challenge is no longer to raise awareness or to debate the issue but to get action. That's why we need a new Clean Air Act for the 21st century.

Some action is underway. Highways England has set aside a £100M fund to improve air quality on the motorway and trunk road network. The new Rail Freight Strategy highlights the pollution busting benefits of moving goods by rail instead of road. London is starting to implement an Ultra Low Emission Zone, and other cities are planning Clean Air Zones.

The Bus Services Bill will allow local authorities to specify cleaner, greener vehicles for their area. The Access Fund is helping councils link people to jobs by improving opportunities for walking and cycling.

While all these steps are important, they still represent a piecemeal approach.

Across the country, we are still seeing billions spent on new roads that will inevitably increase traffic and pollution. There is a massive missed opportunity to include pollution-related charges in proposals for new Severn Crossing tolls.

Relying on electric vehicles to save the day ignores the challenges of sustaining a charging network, finding kerb space for charging points in our crowded cities, let alone a viable electric option for HGVs. And going electric won’t solve other problems of congestion and obesity.

We need not just newer vehicles, but fewer.

Ahead of the forthcoming Budget, we're calling for a diesel scrappage scheme to help people who own the most polluting vehicles to replace them. One option could be to fund this from a higher tax on new diesel purchases. We say any scrappage scheme must be smart and help solve problems of traffic congestion and wider public health: that means including options to swap vehicles for season tickets, e-bikes, car club memberships or other greener alternatives.

Client Earth's legal victories have helped force the pace of Government action, with draft Clean Air Zone guidance issued last year, and an updated action plan required by July. There are many good ideas in the guidance, from travel planning to greener fleets, but nothing on diesel bans or scrappage: a comprehensive solution is missing.